Bhubaneswar Development Authority approves building plan of structure meant for demolition, sparks uproar

Bhubaneswar: In a bizarre turn of events, Bhubaneswar Development Authority has approved building plan for a five-storey structure at Andilo, Balianta, on the city’s outskirts against which a demolition order had been issued by the housing and urban development department.

The approval, allegedly granted in Dec last year, drew sharp criticism from landowners and raised question mark over compliance with statutory and judicial orders that had declared the structure unauthorised and directed its demolition.


Documents and official orders show the residential building was constructed without obtaining building plan approval from BDA and without securing a no-objection certificate from the water resources department, as the approach road passes through a canal embankment area.

BDA, in May 2019, formally rejected the promoter’s application for plan approval on this ground. Subsequently, enforcement proceedings were initiated by BDA under the Odisha Development Authorities Act, leading to an order to stop construction in 2018. And yet, construction continued.

The structure was completed and flats were sold, prompting further legal battles. In June 2022, the matter reached Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) which declared the construction illegal and ordered the flats to be vacated. In a subsequent hearing in June 2023, ORERA awarded Rs 2 crore compensation to buyers against the promoter.

In April 2025, the housing and urban development department upheld BDA’s enforcement action and passed an order directing demolition of the unauthorised structure.

However, in July 2025, Orissa high court, taking note of the fact that residents have been occupying the building, ordered status quo, but did not stay the findings on the construction’s illegality.

There are 16 3-BHK flats in the building and as of now 10 families have been residing there. The flats were bought for Rs 30 lakh per unit.

The recent alleged approval by BDA’s planning wing has now become contentious. Landowners alleged the sanction was issued without giving them a proper hearing and in disregard of the urban development department’s demolition order, which is sub judice before the high court.

They also claimed that BDA officials delayed furnishing information under the Right to Information Act and disclosed the approval only during a subsequent appeal hearing. “This is total illegal and we stand against it. The promoter defied all the norms. Despite that the approval was granted, which is shocking,” said complainant Bandita Singh.

The landowners now seek the intervention of BDA vice-chairman, demanding cancellation of the approval and departmental action against officials responsible for the decision. BDA, meanwhile, refused to issue an official statement on the issue.